Albay bigwig politicians facing ‘token’ candidates?

Albay 2nd District Rep. Al Francis C. Bichara, NP stalwart in Albay explains the informal coalition of local party members. PHOTO BY ELMER JAMES BANDOL/BICOLTODAY.COM

By Elmer James Bandol

LEGAZPI CITY, 21Oct2015 (BicolToday.com) – Political pundits believed that the mix swing of candidates in the slate for local positions, as a result of informal coalition by the Liberal Party (LP) and Nationalista Party (NP) stalwarts here, will only preserve the reigning leaders in power.

This came last Friday following the closure by the Comelec the acceptance of certificates of candidacy for locals wherein only 46 filers have shown interests for positions of governor, vice-governor, representative, and board member.

During the filing period political bigwig-incumbents Gov. Joey S. Salceda, Reps. Al Francis C. Bichara (2nd District) and Fernando V. Gonzalez (3rd District), have echoed the same stand that there exists an informal alliance among them to push for strong support for Mar Roxas as LP running for president.

It was learned that Salceda, the province formidable governor who unseated former incumbent Gonzalez and ran unopposed in 2013, has two rivals for second district congress post, namely: Joshua Martinez, broadcaster, a defeated board member candidate and Gil Goyena, another losser in previous elections. Salceda is the provincial head of LP while Gonzalez is district chair.

Running against Gonzalez, as re-electionist for his last term in congress, is lawyer Oliver Olaybal former board director of the defunct Albay Electric Cooperative, while the provincial NP head, incumbent second district congressman, Bichara wanting to come back as governor, will face neophyte Mario Balmes and Paul Aguilar who garnered only more than 3,000 votes as board member in 2013.

Last termer vice-governor, Harol O. Imperial has two opponents, they are: Jose Antonio, an amateur in politics and Raul Lim, incumbent vice-mayor of Polangui town and younger brother of former 3rd District Rep. Reno Lim. The old Lim has refused to answer why he did not file a higher position in the province but will support instead Bichara’s come back bid.

In the third district, former three-term solon, Edcel Lagman wanted to return in congress to replace his son Grex, the present congressman. The old Lagman has two rivals, Ted Contacto, and lawyer Antonio Betito both losers in previous elections.

The change in political landscape in the province started following pronouncement made by Salceda that he will no longer run for congress saying that he will support instead the national campaign of Mar Roxas. Salceda’s statement has prompted a young CPA- Lawyer Hardy Aquende to quest for second district post, however, finally backed out upon learning that Salceda changed his mind.

“Albayanos has no choice for this coming election”, this was the first statement made by former Vice-Gov. James Calisin who was airing his Saturday morning radio program. “There is an absolute decision formed by political bigwigs in the province under informal merger of the different political parties.

Albay Board Member Bobby Cristobal (center) leads in displaying CoC by his group. Cristobal leaves his post and running in Legazpi City for vice-mayor opposing incumbent Vitoy Roces. PHOTO BY ELMER JAMES BANDOL/BICOLTODAY.COM

“This is not good for the Albayanos”, stressed by Calisin who spouses participatory governance which during his incumbency has conducted trainings sponsored by the Australian Government Facility within which local legislators and non-government organizations representatives were trained on how to craft legislative agenda.

From vice-governor, Calisin is gunning for lower elective position in Tabaco City to face former mayor Crisel Lagman Luistro who was defeated by Josefa Marie Demetriou, and Neol Que owner of FM radio station in the area. Demetriou will no longer run for any position. [BicolToday.com]